Election 2017
Orange residents will go to the polls Saturday September 9, 2017 to choose the members of Orange City Council for the next three years.
For the first time, residents will vote directly to elect a mayor who'll also serve for the next three years.
This page contains information for residents on :
- how to check if you're on the roll to vote in the council electtion,
- how to nominate to be a candidate in the election, and
- details on how the new election of the popularly-elected mayor vote will work.
Your chance to shape your local council
Whether it's a federal, state or local government election, voting in Australia is compulsory. As well our democratic duty, it's our opportunity to help shape the future directions of our community.
Make your opinions count.
Are you ready to vote?
In Australia, compulsory voting is a key part of our democracy, whether it's a federal, state of local government election.
If you are 18 or over, and you are an Australian citizen, you should be on the electoral roll. If you've moved house since the last time you voted, you may need to check if your details on the electoral roll are correct and up to date.
You can do a convenient online check to see if your enrolment is correct.
If you've recently turned 18 you will need to enrol to vote.
You can enrol to vote online by filling out this form
Out of town voters ?
People who own land and pay rates in Orange but don't live here, can also have a say in the future of Orange by voting in the local council elections.
These people need to be on the 'Non-residential Electoral Roll'.
Orange City Council can take applications for people who wish to nominate to be on this roll. The form for individuals can be found below. It must be returned to council by 31 July 2017.
Claim for inclusion on the roll of non-resident owners or roll of occupiers and ratepaying lessees - Individual application form (screen editable WORD file)
When a business or company owns land (and pays rates) in Orange, the business can have a say in the future of Orange by choosing a representative who can vote on the business/company's behalf.
The form for companies and businesses can be found below.The completed form must be returned to council by July 31.
Claim for inclusion on the roll of non-resident owners and roll of occupiers and ratepaying lessees - Nomination Claim - Corporation or Trust Application or Joint or Several Owners application form (screen editable WORD file)
Key Dates
The election for Orange City Council is on 9 September 2017. In the lead up to the election there are deadlines that may apply either to voters or people planning to nominate as a candidate :
- 31 July 2017 - Close of Electoral Roll and Close of Non-Residential Role (6.00 pm) Nominations from candidates in the Election open
- 9 August 2017 - Close of nominations by candidates (12.00 pm), Registration of Electoral Material (how-to-vote) begins
- 28 August 2017- Pre-poll voting opens
- 1 September 2017 - Registration of how-to-vote closes (5.00 pm)
- 4 September 2017 - Postal vote applications close (5.00 pm)
- 8 September 2017 - Pre-poll voting closes (6.00 pm)
- 9 September 2017 - ELECTION DAY
- 11 September 2017 - Return of postal votes closes (6.00 pm)
How do I nominate to become a candidate in September's election?
If you are enthusiastic and interested in what happens in your local community becoming a councillor, can be an exciting opportunity to make a difference and to represent the interests of residents.
Orange is a diverse community, and this should be reflected in the people elected.
Across many councils in NSW there is an under-representation of women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with a disability and young people. Successful councils reflect their community's diversity. Click here for guides on standing for your community if you are in an under-represented group.
There are many elements to putting your hand up to be nominated to become a councillor.
Here, the votensw outlines everything you need to know from your legal obligations to how to manage, record and report on campaign finances.
Voting for the mayor, directly
Previously, the mayor of Orange has been elected every year, and chosen by, and from among, the elected council members.
At the last Orange local government election in 2012, Orange residents voted for a change to have a popularly-elected mayor.
This means that at the September election, voters will be handed two ballot papers : one to elect members of the new council, and one to elect the mayor of Orange.
Candidates can choose to nominate either to stand in the general council election, or to stand as a candidate in the mayoral election, or both.
When it comes to counting the ballot papers, the mayoral election will be decided first.
If the winner of the mayoral election has also stood in the general council election, the votes that person received in the council election will be distributed according to their preferences.
Both the mayoral election and the general council election will be conducted according to the optional-preferential system.
To cast a formal vote, the voter must place the number '1' in the square next to their first choice candidate. They have the 'option' to show further preferences by placing the number '2' in the square next to their second choice candidate, the number '3' next to their third choice and so on. They may number as many or as few squares as they wish.
For further details please go to the votensw website.
QUICK LINKS:
- Click here to check you are enrolled and to verify your address.
- Click here to see where your polling place will be on September 9 (details available mid-August).
- Click here to find out how to vote early.
- Click here to find out more on postal voting.